U.S. patent application number 13/765347 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-13 for universal remote controller and remote control method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hyo-in AHN, Sung-soo HONG, Chang-seog KO.
Application Number | 20130147612 13/765347 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48571462 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130147612 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HONG; Sung-soo ; et
al. |
June 13, 2013 |
UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROLLER AND REMOTE CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
A universal remote controller and a remote control method
thereof are provided. The remote controller includes a display
screen, a communication module configured to communicate with a
plurality of devices, an input unit configured to receive a user
command, a controlling unit configured to receive identification
information from a device of the plurality of devices which is
pointed at by the remote controller through the communication
module, control the display screen to display a user interface
customized for the device corresponding to the identification
information, and receive information input through the user
interface for communication with the device so that the remote
controller can operate with the device.
Inventors: |
HONG; Sung-soo; (Seoul,
KR) ; KO; Chang-seog; (Hwaseong-si, KR) ; AHN;
Hyo-in; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.; |
Gyeonggi-do |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Gyeonggi-do
KR
|
Family ID: |
48571462 |
Appl. No.: |
13/765347 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12396726 |
Mar 3, 2009 |
|
|
|
13765347 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/12.54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08C 2201/32 20130101;
H04W 4/50 20180201; H04L 67/125 20130101; G08C 17/02 20130101; G08C
23/04 20130101; G08C 2201/70 20130101; G08C 2201/92 20130101; G08C
19/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/12.54 |
International
Class: |
G08C 19/00 20060101
G08C019/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 16, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0069044 |
Claims
1. A remote controller comprising: a display screen; a
communication module configured to communicate with a plurality of
devices; an input unit configured to receive a user command; a
controlling unit configured to: receive identification information
from a device of the plurality of devices which is pointed at by
the remote controller through the communication module; control the
display screen to display a user interface customized for the
device corresponding to the identification information; and receive
information input through the user interface for communication with
the device so that the remote controller can operate with the
device.
2. The remote controller of claim 1, further comprising: a storage
unit including at least one user interface entry, each user
interface entry including customized user interface information
corresponding to each of the plurality of devices.
3. The remote controller of claim 1, wherein the controlling unit
is configured to receive information for the customized user
interface from the device.
4. The remote controller of claim 1, wherein the controlling unit
is configured to receive information of the user interface
customized for the device from a server.
5. The remote controller of claim 1, wherein the controlling unit
is configured to control the display screen to display graphical
representations of the user interface customized for the device
which is pointed at by the remote controller.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 12/396,726 filed Mar. 3, 2009, which claims
priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 from Korean Patent Application
No. 10-2008-0069044, filed on Jul. 16, 2008, in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present
invention relate to a universal remote controller and a remote
control method thereof, and more particularly, to a universal
remote controller to conveniently control a plurality of devices
using a single remote controller, and a remote control method
thereof.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Remote controllers may be used to control most electronic
devices used in the home. As the number of electronic devices
increases, the indoor environment becomes more complicated, and it
is harder for a user to select a desired remote controller from
among the remote controllers. Universal remote controllers
compatible with a wide range of electronic devices have been
developed to obviate this problem.
[0006] When a user uses a universal remote controller, the user
inputs a control code of a desired electronic device to the
universal remote controller. If the control code of the desired
electronic device is input, the universal remote controller
recognizes the electronic device A to be controlled, and the user
controls the electronic device A using the universal remote
controller. If a user desires to control an electronic device B,
the user may input the control code of the electronic device B to
the universal remote controller again.
[0007] Whenever a desired electronic device is changed, a user
using a related art universal remote controller inputs a control
code corresponding to the electronic device to the related art
universal remote controller. If the user does not know the control
code, the user cannot use the electronic device, or must manipulate
the electronic device without using the remote controller.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention address at
least the above problems and/or disadvantages and other
disadvantages not described above. Also, the present invention is
not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention may not overcome any
of the problems described above.
[0009] The present invention provides a universal remote controller
to conveniently control a plurality of devices without inputting a
control code of device in advance, and a remote control method
thereof.
[0010] According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a universal remote controller, including a
communication module which communicates with a plurality of
electronic devices, and points towards an electronic device to be
remotely controlled among the plurality of electronic devices; an
input unit which receives a user command for the pointed electronic
device; and a controlling unit which controls the communication
module to transmit the user command to the pointed electronic
device.
[0011] Operations of pointing and sending a request to control the
electronic device may be performed simultaneously.
[0012] The communication module may receive identification
information for the plurality of electronic devices and a control
information list required to control the plurality of electronic
device, and further include a storage unit which stores the
identification information for the plurality of electronic devices
and the control information list for each of the plurality of
electronic devices.
[0013] The identification information of the plurality of
electronic devices may be emitted from the plurality of electronic
devices, and the communication module determine the identification
information for the pointed electronic device among the
continuously emitted identification information, and provide the
controlling unit with the determined identification
information.
[0014] The controlling unit may determine an electronic device
mapped with the identification information received from the
pointed electronic device on the storage unit, identify control
information corresponding to the user command on the control
information list of the identified electronic device, and generates
a control signal corresponding to the identified control
information.
[0015] The identification information may include relative location
information or flickering information of one or more light emitting
diodes (LEDs) provided on each of the plurality of electronic
devices.
[0016] The communication module may include an image sensor which
receives the identification information, and the controlling unit
may measure a Euclidean distance between a center of the image
sensor and a center of LEDs of the electronic devices, and
determine an electronic device having the shortest Euclidean
distance to be the pointed electronic device.
[0017] The controlling unit may measure an incidence angle at which
the plurality of electronic devices output the identification
information with reference to the direction pointed by the
communication module, and determine an electronic device having the
smallest incidence angle to be the pointed electronic device.
[0018] The plurality of electronic devices may include a main
device and a plurality of sub devices, wherein the main device may
receive the identification information and the control information
list from the plurality of sub devices, and transmit the received
identification information and control information list to the
communication module.
[0019] The plurality of electronic devices may transmit
independently the pre-stored identification information and control
information list to the communication module.
[0020] The communication module may communicate with the plurality
of electronic devices using a wireless signal of a Bluetooth signal
or a radio frequency (RF) signal.
[0021] According to another exemplary aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a method for controlling a universal
remote control, including pointing towards an electronic device to
be remotely controlled among a plurality of electronic devices
using a communication module; receiving a user command for the
pointed electronic device; and transmitting the user command to the
pointed electronic device through the communication module.
[0022] The method may further include receiving identification
information of the plurality of electronic devices and a control
information list to required to control the plurality of electronic
device through the communication module prior to the pointing; and
storing the identification information of the plurality of
electronic devices and the control information list for each of the
plurality of electronic devices.
[0023] The method may further include detecting the identification
information of the pointed electronic device among the
identification information transmitted from the plurality of
electronic devices on the communication module after the pointing;
determining an electronic device mapped with the identification
information received from the pointed electronic device among the
stored electronic information, and identifying the control
information corresponding to the user command on the control
information list of the determined electronic device; and
generating a control signal corresponding to the identified control
information, wherein the transmitting may include transmitting the
generated control signal to the pointed electronic device.
[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention address at
least the above problems and/or disadvantages and other
disadvantages not described above. Also, the present invention is
not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention may not overcome any
of the problems described above.
[0025] The present invention provides a universal remote controller
to conveniently control a plurality of devices without inputting a
control code of device in advance, and a remote control method
thereof.
[0026] According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a remote controller, including a display screen,
a communication module which communicates with a plurality of
devices, an input unit receiving a user command, a controlling unit
configured to,
[0027] receive identification information from one of the plurality
of devices which is pointed at by the controller through the
communication module, control the display screen to display a user
interface customized for the device corresponding to the
identification information, and receive information input through
the user interface for communication to the device so that the
controller can operate with the device.
[0028] The controller may further include a storage unit including
one or more user interface entries, each user interface entry
including customized user interface information corresponding to
each of the plurality of devices.
[0029] The controlling unit may be configured to receive
information for the customized user interface from the device.
[0030] The controlling unit may be configured to receive
information of the user interface customized for the device from a
server.
[0031] The controlling unit may be configured to control the
display screen to display graphical representations of the user
interface customized for the pointed at device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The above and/or other aspects of the present invention will
be more apparent by describing certain exemplary embodiments of the
present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a universal control system
applied to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams provided to explain a method for
storing identification information and a control information
list;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a universal remote
controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0036] FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams provided to explain an
exemplary case in which identification information is generated
using location information provided by light emitting diodes
(LEDs);
[0037] FIG. 5C is a diagram provided to explain an example of
generating identification information using flickering information
provided by LEDs;
[0038] FIGS. 5D and 5E are views provided to explain an example of
identification information being generated using relative location
information and flickering information provided by LEDs;
[0039] FIG. 6 is a diagram provided to explain a method that a
controlling unit determines a pointed device using the Euclidean
distance;
[0040] FIG. 7 is a diagram provided to explain a method that a
controlling unit determines a pointed device using an incidence
angle;
[0041] FIG. 8 is a flowchart to explain a method for controlling a
universal remote controller according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a universal remote
controller according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0043] FIGS. 10A to 11B are views illustrating a graphical user
interface (GUI) according to diverse exemplary embodiments of the
present invention;
[0044] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram provided to explain an example
of providing a GUI of a pointed device according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0045] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram provided to explain an example
of providing a GUI of a pointed device according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0046] Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will
now be described in greater detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0047] In the following description, the same drawing reference
numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings.
The matters defined in the description, such as detailed
construction and elements, are provided to assist in a
comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it is apparent
that the present invention can be carried out without those
specifically defined matters. Also, well-known functions or
constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure
the invention with unnecessary detail.
[0048] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a universal control system
applied to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, a universal control system may comprise a
plurality of devices 210, 220, 230, and a universal remote
controller 100.
[0049] The universal remote controller 100 according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention is connected to the
plurality of devices 210, 220, 230, to communicate therewith,
points to the plurality of devices 210, 220, 230, and remotely
controls the plurality of devices 210, 220, 230. The plurality of
devices 210, 220, 230 may include any device which is capable of
being remotely controlled, for example a digital television, an
analog television, a digital video disk (DVD) player, a set-top
box, a hard disk drive (HDD) recorder, a game console, an audio
player, or a home theater system. Hereinbelow, the term "device" is
used to refer to any electronic device.
[0050] A user may select a desired device by changing a pointing
direction (a, b, c) of the universal remote controller 100 as shown
in FIG. 1.
[0051] The universal remote controller 100 receives identification
information and a control information list for the plurality of
devices 210, 220, 230, and stores the identification information
and the control information list. The universal remote controller
100 is pointed in the direction of a desired device among the
plurality of devices 210, 220, 230, and controls the pointed
desired device. The identification information includes an
identification (ID) of each of the plurality of devices 210, 220,
230, and is used to determine a device to be controlled by the
universal remote controller 100, which will be explained in detail
with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5E.
[0052] The control information list includes control information
for each function in order to control various functions provided by
the devices 210, 220, 230. For example, if the device 220 is a DVD
player, the device 220 provides various functions such as turning
power on and off, setting volume, changing a channel, play back
speed, or recording, and the control information list provides
control information to control each function.
[0053] The control information may be different for each of the
plurality of devices 210, 220, 230 even if the devices 210, 220,
230 provide the same function. For example, if all of the devices
210, 220, 230 are digital televisions of which channels may be
changed, the control information required to change a channel
differs for each of the devices 210, 220, 230 in order to prevent
the same control information from manipulating two or more devices
at the same time.
[0054] The universal remote controller 100 recognizes control
information corresponding to a desired function from the control
information list, and transmits the control signal corresponding to
the recognized control information, for example an infrared signal,
to the device 210.
[0055] FIG. 2 is a diagram provided to explain a method for storing
identification information and a control information list according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0056] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of devices 210,
220, 230 include a main device 210 and a sub device 220. For
example, the main device 210 may sold as a single product together
with the universal remote controller 100.
[0057] When the main device 210 is installed, the main device 210
transmits identification information and a control information list
of the main device 210 to the universal remote controller 100
(S210). The universal remote controller 100 maps the identification
information and control information list with the main device 210,
and stores the mapped identification information and control
information list (S220).
[0058] If a new sub device, for example the sub device 220, is
installed to communicate with the main device 210, the sub device
220 may transmit identification information and a control
information list of the sub device 220 to the main device 210
(S230).
[0059] After the main device 210 and the sub device 220 are
installed in operations S210 and S230, when the main device 210 and
the sub device 220 are turned on for the first time, the
identification information and control information list of the sub
device 220 are transmitted automatically or as a result of user
manipulation. If a user requests that the identification
information and control information list of the sub device 220 are
re-transmitted, the sub device 220 re-transmits the identification
information and control information list of the sub device 220 to
the main device 210.
[0060] The main device 210 transmits the received identification
information and control information list of the sub device 220 to
the universal remote controller 100 (S240).
[0061] The universal remote controller 100 maps the identification
information and control information list transmitted from the main
device 210 with the sub device 220, and stores the mapped
identification information and control information list (S250).
[0062] The identification information and control information list
are transmitted between the sub device 220 and the main device 210,
and between the main device 210 and the universal remote controller
100, according to a predetermined communication method. The
predetermined communication method may be wireless communication
using infrared ray communication, Bluetooth communication, radio
frequency (RF) communication, or wireless internet, or wire
communication using a Universal Serial Bus (USB), an Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface, or a
Recommended Standard (RS)-232. The method of communication between
the sub device 220 and the main device 210 may be different from or
identical to that between the main device 210 and the universal
remote controller 100.
[0063] FIG. 3 is a diagram provided to explain a method for storing
identification information and a control information list according
to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0064] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a plurality of devices provide a
function of transmitting identification information and a control
information list to the universal remote controller 100. If a new
sub device, for example the sub device 220, is installed to
communicate with the universal remote controller 100, the sub
device 220 transmits the identification information and control
information list of the sub device 220 to the universal remote
controller 100 (S310).
[0065] The universal remote controller 100 maps the received
identification information and control information list with the
sub device 220, and stores the mapped identification information
and control information list (S320). A user may control the
plurality of devices 210, 220, 230 using the universal remote
controller 100.
[0066] The sub device 220 and the universal remote controller 100
may transmit the identification information and control information
list by wire or wireless communication described with reference to
FIG. 2.
[0067] If a device communication unit 213 communicates using the
method shown in FIG. 3, the device communication unit 213 is
connected to the universal remote controller 100 to enable
communication therebetween.
[0068] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a universal remote
controller of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0069] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, each of the plurality of devices
210, 220, 23 includes a function unit 211, a device storage unit
212, the device communication unit 213, and a device controller
214. Hereinbelow, the device 210 of the plurality of devices 210,
220, 230 will be explained as an example.
[0070] The function unit 211 performs basic functions provided by
the device 210. If the device 210 is a digital television, the
function unit 211 receives a digital broadcast signal, demodulates
the received signal, processes the demodulated signal using
decoding, outputs the processed signal, and thus provides a user
with the digital broadcast.
[0071] The device storage unit 212 stores the identification
information of the device 210 and the control information list
required to control the function provided by the device 210. The
stored identification information is the same as information
generated by the location information of one or more LEDs provided
on the device 210, or flickering information of the LEDs. That is,
the stored identification information is identical to the
identification information which the universal remote controller
100 generates using one or more LEDs provided on the device
210.
[0072] If the device communication unit 213 communicates using the
method of FIG. 2, the device communication unit 213 is connected to
one or more sub devices 220 and the universal remote controller 100
to enable communication therebetween according to the predetermined
communication method.
[0073] When the device 210 is installed, the device communication
unit 213 transmits the identification information and control
information list of the device 210 to the universal remote
controller 100. The device communication unit 213 receives a remote
control signal corresponding to a user command transmitted form the
universal remote controller 100. The remote control signal may be
various signals such as an infrared signal, a Bluetooth signal, or
a radio frequency (RF) signal.
[0074] When the device 210 is installed, the device controlling
unit 214 controls the device communication unit 213 to transmit the
identification information and control information list stored in
the device storage unit 212 to the universal remote controller 100.
If the identification information is represented as flickering
information using infrared rays (IR), the device controlling unit
214 supplies power to one or more LEDs provided on the device 210
so that the LEDs continuously emit light. The LEDs provided on the
device 210 thus output an infrared signal continuously. The device
controlling unit 214 controls the function unit 211 to operate
according to the user command received from the universal remote
controller 100.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 4, the universal remote controller 100 may
comprise an input unit 110, a communication module 120, a storage
unit 130, and a controlling unit 140.
[0076] The input unit 110 receives a command from a user. The user
may request that a desired function be performed by manipulating a
plurality of numeral keys, letter keys, and function keys provided
on the input unit 110. The user may input a command, that is a
desired function, while pointing a target device using the
universal remote controller 100.
[0077] The input unit 110 may further comprise a mode selection
unit 111. The mode selection unit 111 is a button or a switch to
select a universal control mode or a single control mode. In the
universal control mode, a user may point the universal remote
controller 100 toward a target device among the devices 210, 220,
230, and control the target device. In the single control mode, a
user may control only one device, for example the device 210. The
single control mode may be set as a default.
[0078] The mode selection unit 111 is merely optional, and may not
be provided. If the mode selection unit 111 is provided, a user may
set the universal remote controller 100 to be universally
controlled irrespective of the currently set mode.
[0079] If a user selects the mode selection unit 111 once, the
universal remote controller 100 is changed from the single control
mode to the universal control mode, and if the user selects the
mode selection unit 111 again, the universal control mode is
changed to the single control mode. The user may control a desired
device in the universal mode, and may control only one device in
the single control mode. Hereinbelow, the universal control mode
will be explained.
[0080] The input unit 110 may further comprise a pointing button
(not shown). A user uses the pointing button to facilitate
selection of a device by pointing. If a user presses the pointing
button, a transmission unit 121 emits a visible laser. The user may
thus recognize which device the universal remote controller 100
points towards, and may easily adjust the pointing direction.
[0081] The communication module 120 may remotely communicate with
the plurality of devices 210, 220, 230, and is connected to the
plurality of devices 210, 220, 230 to enable communication
therebetween according to a predetermined communication method so
that the universal remote controller 100 may remotely control the
plurality of devices 210, 220, 230. The communication module 120
points to a device to be remotely controlled among the plurality of
devices 210, 220, 230 according to user manipulation, and provides
the controlling unit 140 with identification information regarding
the pointed device.
[0082] The communication module 120 may comprise the transmission
unit 121 and a reception unit 122.
[0083] The transmission unit 121 transmits a user command received
from the input unit 110 to a target device, for example the device
210, using a remote control signal such as an infrared signal. The
device 210 performs an operation corresponding to the remote
control signal transmitted from the transmission unit 121.
[0084] The reception unit 122 receives identification information
and a control information list from the device 210, and transmits
the received identification information and control information
list to the controlling unit 140. The reception unit 122 receives
an infrared signal being continuously emitted by the devices 210,
220, 230 through an IR image sensor 123 included in the reception
unit 122. The image sensor 123 may be a geomagnetic sensor.
[0085] A user points the universal remote controller 100 toward a
target device, for example the device 210, among the plurality of
devices 210, 220, 230 so that the image sensor 123 faces the device
210. The user may request a command at the same time as pointing
the device 210, or after pointing the device 210. The controlling
unit 140 determines the pointed device 210, which will be explained
with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0086] If it is determined which device being pointed to, the image
sensor 123 detects array information or flickering information of
one or more LEDs using an infrared signal received from the one or
more LEDs provided on the pointed device 210, and provides the
controlling unit 140 with the detected array information and
flickering information as information to identify the pointed
device 210. The array information represents relative location
information of each LED. If a plurality of LEDs are provided, the
plurality of LEDs may emit different wavelengths or the same
wavelength.
[0087] Hereinbelow, a method in which the image sensor 123 acquires
identification information of a device will be explained with
reference to FIGS. 5A to 5E.
[0088] FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams provided to explain an
exemplary case in which identification information is generated
using location information provided by LEDs. Referring to FIG. 5A,
a plurality of LEDs L1 to L3 are arranged in a row on a device, and
the image sensor 123 represents the location on which each of the
plurality of LEDs L1 to L3 emits light as an array. The image
sensor 123 detects the location information (1, 1), (1, 2), (1, 4)
of each of the plurality of LEDs L1 to L3, and generates
identification information for the device 210 using the detected
location information.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 5B, the plurality of LEDs L1 to L3 are
arranged on a device in a zigzag pattern, which represents the
location on which each of the plurality of LEDs L1 to L3 emits
light as a matrix. The image sensor 123 determines the location
information (1, 1), (2, 2), (1, 3) of each of the plurality of LEDs
L1 to L3, and generates identification information for the device
210 using the detected location information.
[0090] FIG. 5C is a diagram provided to explain an example of
generating identification information using flickering information
provided by LEDs. Referring to FIG. 5C, the plurality of LEDs L1 to
L3 emit light having different colors, respectively, and thus emit
wavelengths (.lamda.1, . . . , .lamda.6) corresponding to each
color. The number of different wavelengths is not limited to six.
If three LEDs L1 to L3 are provided, the image sensor 123 detects
wavelengths .lamda.1, .lamda.5, .lamda.6 of an infrared signal
received from the LEDs L1 to L3, and generates identification
information for the device 210 using the detected wavelengths
.lamda.1, .lamda.5, .lamda.6.
[0091] FIGS. 5D and 5E are views provided to explain an example of
identification information being generated using relative location
information and flickering information of an LED.
[0092] Referring to FIG. 5D, if the plurality of LEDs L1 to L3 as
shown in FIG. 5A emit wavelengths as shown in FIG. 5C, the image
sensor 123 detects wavelengths (1,1,.lamda.1), (1,2.lamda.5),
(1,4,.lamda.6), and generates identification information for the
device 210 using the detected wavelengths (1,1,.lamda.1),
(1,2,.lamda.5), (1,4,.lamda.6).
[0093] Referring to FIG. 5E, if the plurality of LEDs L1 to L3 as
shown in FIG. 5B emit wavelengths as shown in FIG. 5C, the image
sensor 123 detects wavelengths (1,1,.lamda.1), (2,2,.lamda.5),
(1,3,.lamda.6), and generates identification information for the
device 210 using the detected wavelengths (1,1,.lamda.1),
2(,2,.lamda.5), (1,3,.lamda.6).
[0094] Referring to FIG. 4, the storage unit 130 stores the
identification information and control information list for the
plurality of devices 210, 220, 230 received from the reception unit
122 for each device 210, 220, 230 under the control of the
controlling unit 140. For example, the identification information
and control information list for each device 210, 220, 230 may be
stored in a lookup table. The identification information provides
information to identify a target device towards which the image
sensor 123 is pointed. The control information list includes
control information required to control functions provided by each
device 210, 220, 230 for each function.
[0095] The controlling unit 140 controls operations of the units of
the universal remote controller 100. If the universal remote
controller 100 is in a universal control mode, the controlling unit
140 determines a device towards which a user points the universal
remote controller 100, for example the device 210. If a user points
the device 210 for at least a predetermined time period, the
controlling unit 140 may be implemented to determine the pointed
device 210. For example, a timer may be mounted in the universal
remote controller 100 to measure the time period for which the
device 210 is pointed.
[0096] The controlling unit 140 calculates the Euclidean distance
between the center of a surface of the image sensor 123 and the
center of LEDs of the devices 210, 220, 230, and determines a
device having the shortest distance to be a target device.
[0097] FIG. 6 is a diagram provided to explain a method that a
controlling unit determines a pointed device using the Euclidean
distance.
[0098] Referring to FIG. 6, the image sensor 123 performs functions
of a viewfinder (VF) of a camera. The controlling unit 140
calculates the Euclidean distance between the center of the LED of
the devices 210, 220, 230 displayed on the VF and the center C of
the VF. In FIG. 6, the device 210 has the shortest Euclidean
distance. The controlling unit 210 determines the device 210 to be
a pointed device, and controls the image sensor 123 to generate
identification information for the pointed device 210.
[0099] Alternatively, the controlling unit 140 receives an infrared
signal emitted from each device 210, 220, 230, measures an angle of
incidence of each infrared signal, and determines a device having
the smallest angle of incidence to be a pointed device.
[0100] FIG. 7 is a diagram provided to explain a method that a
controlling unit determines a pointed device using an incidence
angle.
[0101] Referring to FIG. 7, the controlling unit 140 measures an
incidence angle at which the identification information enters the
image sensor 123 with reference to the direction in which the image
sensor 123 points. The pointed direction P is shown in FIG. 7. If
the image sensor 123 receives the identification information from
LEDs A, B, C for each of the plurality of devices 210, 220, 230,
the controlling unit 140 measures the incidence angle of the
received identification information with reference to the pointed
direction P.
[0102] If the device 210 corresponds to the incidence angle
5.degree., if the device 220 corresponds to the incidence angle
-50.degree., and if the device 230 corresponds to the incidence
angle 45.degree., the device 210 has the smallest absolute
incidence angle. Thus, the controlling unit 140 determines that the
device 210 is pointed, and controls the image sensor 123 to detect
identification information for the device 210.
[0103] If the pointed device 210 is determined, the controlling
unit 140 controls the image sensor 123 to detect the identification
information for the device 210. If the identification information
for the device 210 is detected by the image sensor 123, the
controlling unit 140 determines the device corresponding to the
same identification information as the detected identification
information on the storage unit 130.
[0104] The controlling unit 140 determines the control information
corresponding to the user command input from the input unit 110 on
the storage unit 130. For example, if a user inputs a command to
turn off the device 210, the controlling unit 140 determines the
control information mapped with the power off command from the
storage unit 130, and controls the transmission unit 121 to
transmit the control signal corresponding to the determined control
information. The transmission unit 121 generates a control signal
of a pulse corresponding to the control information, and transmits
the generated control signal. The device 210 is turned off in
response to the control signal.
[0105] FIG. 8 is a flowchart to explain a method for controlling a
universal remote controller according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0106] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, if the universal remote
controller 100 is in a mode to control each device 210, 220, 230, a
user points one of the devices 210, 220, 230, and the input unit
110 receives a command from the user (S810). The operations of
pointing a device and inputting a command may be performed
sequentially or simultaneously.
[0107] The controlling unit 140 determines which device is pointed
in operation S810 (S820). For example, the controlling unit 140 may
determine the pointed device using the method described in FIG. 6
or FIG. 7.
[0108] If an error occurs (S830), that is if the pointed device is
not determined, the controlling unit 140 generates an error message
so that a user can determine that the error has occurred. The error
message may be an alarm or a flash by a light emitting device (not
shown) provided on the input unit 110. Thus, the user may again
point the pointed device towards a device he or she desires to
control (S810). The universal remote controller 100 may comprise an
alarm (not shown) or a flash (not shown) to generate an error
message.
[0109] In FIG. 6, if it is determined that there are at least two
devices having the shortest Euclidean distance, the controlling
unit 140 generates an error message. In FIG. 7, if it is determined
that there are at least two devices having the smallest incidence
angle, the controlling unit 140 generates an error message.
[0110] If an error message is not generated (S840), that is if the
pointed device is determined, the controlling unit 140 controls the
image sensor 120 to detect identification information of the
pointed device, for example a device A (S850). In operation S850,
the image sensor 123 detects identification information for the
device 210 using one of the methods described with reference to
FIGS. 5A to 5E.
[0111] The controlling unit 140 determines a device having the same
identification information as the identification information
detected in operation S850 on the storage unit 130 (S860).
[0112] The controlling unit 140 determines the control information
corresponding to the user command input in operation S810 on the
control information list for the device 210 stored in the storage
unit 130 (S870).
[0113] The controlling unit 140 controls the transmission unit 121
to convert the determined control information into a control
signal, and to transmit the control signal (S880). The control
signal may be a signal capable of being transmitted, and may be an
infrared signal having a specific wavelength. The device 210
receives the transmitted control signal, and performs the function
corresponding to the received control signal. That is, the device
210 may perform the operation corresponding to the user command
input in operation S810.
[0114] According to a universal remote controller according to
exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and a remote
control method thereof, a user points towards a device to be
controlled using the universal remote controller as if the user
indicates an object with a finger, and thus it is possible to
control operations of the device. Therefore, exemplary embodiments
of the present invention may provide a user with a method for
controlling a device more instinctively.
[0115] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention,
devices may be classified using identification information for an
LED provided on each device. The identification information may be
obtained by combining the location information and flickering
information of an IR LED having low power consumption. Therefore, a
plurality of devices are classified and controlled.
[0116] Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in
which a device pointed using a universal remote controller having a
display screen is controlled, is described hereinbelow with
reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating
a universal remote controller according to another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the
remote controller 900 may include an input unit 910, a
communication module 920, a storage unit 930, a display screen 940,
and a controlling unit 950.
[0117] Description of the input unit 910, the communication module
920, and the storage unit 930 which are similar to the input unit
110, communication module 120, and the storage unit 130 illustrated
in FIG. 2 is not repeated.
[0118] The display screen 940 displays diverse image data and a
user interface (UI) according to control of the controlling unit
950. In particular, the display screen 940 may display a UI
customized for a device corresponding to identification information
using the identification information of a device 200 pointed by the
universal remote controller 900 according to the control of the
controlling unit 950.
[0119] The controlling unit 950 receives the identification
information from the device 200 pointed by the universal remote
controller 900 from among a plurality of devices through the
communication module 920. The controlling unit 950 may control the
display screen 940 to display the UI customized for the device
corresponding to the identification information. The display unit
950 receives control information input through the UI so as to
control the pointed device, and transmits the received control
information to an external device.
[0120] More specifically, the controlling unit 950 determines the
pointed device. That is, the controlling unit 950 detects
identification information using IR LED of the pointed device as
illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 7, and identifies a device corresponding
to the detected identification information, thereby determining the
pointed device.
[0121] The controlling unit 950 obtains pairing information to
communicate with the pointed device. The pairing information may
include information on methods of communication (e.g. IR
communication, Bluetooth, wireless Internet platform for
interoperability (WIPI), Zigbee, etc) with the pointed device,
information on connection address of the pointed device (e.g. IP
address), authentication information, etc. The pairing information
may be obtained from the pointed device through IR communication,
but this is merely an exemplary embodiment. The pairing information
may be pre-stored or be obtained from an external server.
[0122] Although detecting the device using IR LED, the universal
remote controller 900 may also communicate with an external device
(e.g. the pointed device) using other communication methods. For
example, the universal remote controller 900 may communicate with
the pointed device using Bluetooth, WIPI, Zigbee, etc. In addition,
the universal remote controller 900 may communicate with an
external device and a server using combination of the
aforementioned communication methods. For example, the universal
remote controller 900 may communicate with a server using WIPI, and
may communicate with the pointed device using IR.
[0123] The controlling unit 950 performs pairing to control the
pointed device based on the pairing information.
[0124] The controlling unit 950 obtains a graphical user interface
(GUI) information to control the pointed device. The GUI
information may include at least one of a list of objects
constituting a GUI, properties (e.g. forms and coordinates) of each
of the objects, and information on a list of commands to be
transmitted to the pointed device when each object is selected.
[0125] In addition, the GUI information may be transmitted from the
pointed device, but this is merely an exemplary embodiment. The GUI
information may be pre-stored in the storage unit 930 of the
universal remote controller 900, or may be obtained from an
external server.
[0126] If the GUI information is obtained, the controlling unit 950
displays the GUI on the display screen 940.
[0127] The GUI displayed on the display screen 940 may vary
according to the type of the pointed device.
[0128] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, if the device pointed by the universal remote controller
900 is a television (TV), the controlling unit 950 may display a
GUI as illustrated in FIG. 10A. A GUI to control the TV, as
illustrated in FIG. 10A, may display icons for providing diverse
functions such as a volume control icon, a channel control icon, a
mute icon, a channel list icon, a web browsing icon, a menu icon,
an HDMI connection icon, etc.
[0129] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, if the device pointed by the universal remote controller
900 is an air conditioner, the controlling unit 950 may display a
GUI as illustrated in FIG. 10B. A GUI to control the air
conditioner, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, may display a temperature
control icon, a wind strength control icon, and diverse special
functions.
[0130] The GUI displayed on the display screen 940 may vary
according to the position of the universal remote controller
900.
[0131] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, if the universal remote controller 900 is in a
horizontal position, the controlling unit 950 may display a GUI as
illustrated in FIG. 11A. The GUI provided by the universal remote
controller 900 in the horizontal position may include a device
name, a function name, a function control icon, device status
information, etc.
[0132] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, if the universal remote controller 900 is in a vertical
position, the controlling unit 950 may display a GUI as illustrated
in FIG. 11B. The GUI provided by the universal remote controller
900 in the vertical position may display the GUI provided in the
horizontal position together with an application screen executed by
the universal remote controller 900.
[0133] In FIGS. 10A to 11B, a GUI is illustrated to display a
plurality of icons, but this is merely an exemplary embodiment.
Diverse GUIs may be implemented such as a GUI of the pointed device
using a soft key or a GUI capable of receiving a voice command.
[0134] The controlling unit 950 receives a GUI object selection
signal by input of the user. For example, if the user selects a
mute icon, the controlling unit 950 receives a mute icon selection
signal.
[0135] The controlling unit 950 transmits a command corresponding
to a GUI object selected by the user to the pointed device. The
controlling unit 950 may transmit the command in diverse
communication methods as described above.
[0136] In view of the above, the single universal remote controller
900 provides a GUI corresponding to a pointed device from among a
plurality of devices so that the user can control the plurality of
devices more intuitively using the single universal remote
controller 900.
[0137] A remote control method according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention is described hereinbelow with reference to
FIGS. 12 and 13.
[0138] FIG. 12 is a diagram provided to explain an example of
providing a GUI of a pointed device according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0139] The universal remote controller 900 points a device 200 by
the user (S1210).
[0140] The universal remote controller 900 receives an IR pattern
from the pointed device 200 (S1220).
[0141] If the IR pattern is received, the universal remote
controller 900 identifies a device corresponding to the IR pattern
(S1230).
[0142] If the pointed device 200 is identified, the universal
remote controller 900 obtains pairing information to communicate
with the pointed device (S1240). The pairing information may
include information on methods of communication (e.g. IR
communication, Bluetooth, wireless Internet platform for
interoperability (WIPI), Zigbee, etc) with the pointed device 200,
information on connection address of the pointed device 200(e.g. IP
address), authentication information, etc. The pairing information
may be obtained from the pointed device 200 through IR
communication, but this is merely an exemplary embodiment. The
pairing information may be pre-stored or be obtained from an
external server.
[0143] The universal remote controller 900 performs communication
pairing to control the pointed device 200 (S1250).
[0144] If communication pairing is performed, the universal remote
controller 900 may obtain GUI information (S1260). The GUI
information may include a list of objects constituting a GUI,
properties of each of the objects, and information on a list of
commands corresponding to each object. The GUI information may be
pre-stored.
[0145] If the GUI information is obtained, the universal remote
controller 900 displays the GUI to control the pointed device 200
(S1270).
[0146] The universal remote controller 900 receives a GUI object
selection signal by input of the user (S1280).
[0147] If the GUI object selection signal is received, the
universal remote controller 900 transmits a command corresponding
to the selected GUI object to the pointed device 200 (S1290).
[0148] If the command is received, the device 200 performs a
function corresponding to the received command (S1295).
[0149] FIG. 13 is a diagram provided to explain an example of
providing a GUI of a pointed device according to another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0150] The universal remote controller 900 points a device 200 by
the user (S1305).
[0151] The universal remote controller 900 receives an IR pattern
from the pointed device 200 (S1310).
[0152] If the IR pattern is received, the universal remote
controller 900 identifies a device corresponding to the IR pattern
(S1315).
[0153] If the pointed device 200 is identified, the universal
remote controller 900 obtains pairing information to communicate
with the pointed device 200 (S1320). The pairing information may
include information on methods of communication (e.g. IR
communication, Bluetooth, wireless Internet platform for
interoperability (WIPI), Zigbee, etc) with the pointed device 200,
information on connection address of the pointed device 200(e.g. IP
address), authentication information, etc. The pairing information
may be obtained from the pointed device 200 through IR
communication, but this is merely an exemplary embodiment. The
pairing information may be pre-stored or be obtained from an
external server.
[0154] The universal remote controller 900 performs communication
pairing to control the pointed device 200 (S1325).
[0155] The universal remote controller 900 transmits a GUI
information request signal to a server 1300 (S1330). The GUI
information request signal may include identification information
of the pointed device 200.
[0156] If the GUI information request signal is received, the
server 1300 transmits GUI information corresponding to the pointed
device 200 to the universal remote controller 900 in response to
the GUI information request signal (S1340).
[0157] If the GUI information is received, the universal remote
controller 900 displays a GUI to control the pointed device 200
(S1345).
[0158] Subsequently, the universal remote controller 900 receives a
GUI object selection signal by input of the user (S1350).
[0159] If the GUI object selection signal is received, the
universal remote controller 900 transmits a command corresponding
to the selected GUI object to the pointed device 200 (S1355).
[0160] If the command is received, the device 200 performs a
function corresponding to the received command (S1360).
[0161] Using the above remote control method, the user identifies a
GUI for each pointed device so that the user can control a
plurality of devices using a single remote controller.
[0162] The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are
merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the
present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to
other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the exemplary
embodiments of the present invention is intended to be
illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many
alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
* * * * *